Valerie Johnson & the Blues Doctors is a phenomenal group of musical magicians who have been mesmerizing music lovers from Santa Barbara to San Miguel. Even while dishing up hypnotic, funky, driving rhythms, the Blues Doctor’s reverence for jazz, traditional R&B and gospel and obvious enjoyment of blues, funk and rock and roll spices the mix of their soulful blend. They get a bit sophisticated too, serving up their standards, old style jazz and blues. Pianist "Reverend Doctor Tom", Guitarist "Al B. Blue",drummer Greg Barnes & bassist Andy Kulikowski create a beautiful musical tapestry with their intricately interwoven rhythms and leads. This foundation they lay down sets up Valerie to sing freely from her soul.

Valerie Johnson & the Blues Doctors features Valerie Johnson, an earthy lady with unearthly silk and steel vocal cords, who, with brilliant, innovative support from her players, makes music that walks right into your heart and shakes hands with your soul. Born in the Bay Area, Valerie spent eight years polishing her voice as she toured Europe with the Bitburg Gospel Chior and sang gospel and blues in the Far East. She is also the lead singer for the band that made famous with Janis Joplin - Big Brother and the Holding Company. Often compared to Etta James and Janis Joplin, Valerie is a genuinely original talent with a direct line into the spirit of the blues.

These superb musicians provide the settings for Valerie¹s gems:

Keyboard wizard "Reverend-Doctor Tom" Armistead, a Southerner (born in Virginia and raised in Texas) who also spent eight years abroad, performing with Anglo-American groups Bethlehem Steele, the Farley Brothers and the Jazz Influence, with whom he recorded for Polydor records. Influences from such diverse players as Thelonius Monk, Memphis Slim, Otis Spann and McCoy Tyner can be heard in "Reverend-Doctor Tom's unique style.

Guitarist "Al B. Blue" Ingram, also a classically trained pianist, who picked up the guitar at an early age and formed a street corner doo-wop group in Camden, N.J. Coming out to California, he played major clubs in Los Angeles, then joined Big Black, an Afro-funk band, touring the West Coast with Curtis Mayfield.

Drummer Greg Barnes, a well-known and sought-after percussionist here in the Central Coast. He also toured in Europe, warming up for such talents as James Brown, Little Richard and comedian Redd Foxx.

Bassist Andy Kulikowski, has performed a vast assortment of musical styles with many well known recording artists such as 1970 Roy Head (Treat Her Right), a member from Sam the Sham and the Pharo's (Woolly Bully/Little Red Riding Hood) and then later was in Mary Magregger' Band in the early 80's (Torn Between Two Lovers). At the age 12 he was "hooked on the blues and since 1990 he has been exclusively playing the blues and loves it! We do too!

Valerie Johnson & the Blues Doctors are part of a blues presentation at the Smithsonian Institute and have performed all over. Here are some: Sonora Christmas Craft Faire, California Mid-State Faire along with many California central coast festivals and venues, including but not limited to Morro Bay Harbor Festival, Pismo Beach Clam Festival, San Luis Obispo Mardi Gras Festival, Central Coast Blues & Brews Festival, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Blues Society Events, etc…, Santa Maria Hilton (special occasion dances), Also conventions, civic functions, company, private parties weddings and youth activities : YMCA Youth & Government California State Convention and various High Schools.

For More Information contact: Flying Pig Music (805) 489-1311